Act I: The Courtship
Solomon owns a vineyard in the land of Ephraim which he placed under the care of family consisting of a mother, two brothers, an older daughter (a Shulamite, who is the heroine), and her younger sister. The Shulamite works in the vineyards and cares for flocks. She is the epitome of Proverbs 31. Although she is beautiful, she had little time for personal care and has become quite tanned by the sun.
Some have proposed this beautiful young woman is none other than Abishag. Abishag was a beautiful young woman who spent her youth working in the fields and vineyards. From our studies of 1 Kings 1, we remember she was chosen to lie beside the elderly King David to keep him warm and to be his nursemaid as he lay dying. The text is clear that her virginity was not taken away by the elderly King David (1 Kings 1:4). Her ministry to him was completely a matter of physical care, not sexual pleasure.
She came from an area called Shunam, which is thought to be in Galilee. It seems as though Solomon, who was part of the household at that time, became deeply attached to her. When his brother Adonijah tried to get his mother’s approval for taking Abishag to be his wife, Solomon was enraged that he was attempting to use Abishag to usurp the throne. He then had Benaiah, his executioner, kill Adonijah (1 Kings 2:21-25).
Abishag was not a lady of the courts, but she was a country girl (much like Esther). She worked in the fields under the hot sun, was not used to expensive clothes, and the extravagances of nobility. She was beautiful in character, charm, and looks.
One day, a handsome young man visits the vineyard and wins the heart of the young maiden. He leaves, but promises to return some day. She dreams of the young man, not knowing he is Solomon.
